IFAW and Wild Welfare Unite for Animals in Need
Wild Welfare has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with international animal welfare charity IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare).
The MoU was signed on the 1st of March 2022 for an initial period of three years in order to solidify the partnership between the two organisations. The primary aims of the collaboration are to further scientific and policy developments, exchanges in expertise and develop initiatives that contribute to improving the welfare of wild animals.
Initial alliances began in October 2021 when Wild Welfare presented a series of online webinars to more than 30 IFAW frontline rescue staff from around the world. The webinars were an opportunity for Wild Welfare to share their knowledge and expertise on topics such as wild animal welfare, auditing of captive facilities, and welfare assessments. The goal was to promote capacity building for IFAW employees, equipping them with the skills to better identify animal welfare issues and poor practices, enabling IFAW to continue to improve the welfare of animals across the globe.
There are many ways in which Wild Welfare and IFAW can assist each other in achieving their organisational missions, but one specific area is in development; a framework to assess the welfare of wild animals currently in IFAW and partner sanctuaries and rescue centres whilst the animals are prepared for reintroduction or release back into the wild.
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. In more than 40 countries, the organization rescues, rehabilitates, and releases animals and restores and protects natural habitats.. Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By working together with animal welfare organisations and captive wildlife facilities, including zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries, Wild Welfare achieves long-term and sustainable solutions to the most critical issues facing wild animals in captivity. Both organisations are passionate about ensuring that animals can thrive and this partnership will work towards that objective through information exchanges, resource sharing and continued capacity building. Planned activities also include the endorsement, adaption and adoption of Wild Welfare’s Core Fundamental’s Standard of Practice document by IFAW.
“Animals around the world are increasingly under threat and the problems they face are urgent and complex. Wild animals in captivity, whether temporary or long-term, face one common concern—their quality of life. Working with Wild Welfare will expand IFAW’s access to scientific expertise and extensive best practices in animal welfare, allowing our teams to have an even greater impact on the welfare of wild animals,” said Katie Moore, Deputy Vice President for Animal Rescue at IFAW.
“The Wild Welfare philosophy is to work in collaboration with the leading animal welfare organisations to make sure we reach our goals and give animals in captivity a life worth living,” said Simon Marsh, Wild Welfare, Director “By working in partnerships we can achieve so much more than working alone and the alliance with IFAW will allow both charities the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of animals around the world.”
Wild Welfare is delighted to have developed this partnership with IFAW, who share the same commitment to driving forward positive changes for animals, and looks forward to working collaboratively on projects together for the benefit of animals, both now and in the future.
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Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org
Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.
Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).
